Pyrotechnics master Aaron Enzer lights up lives
BY LAUREL DROZ
Q:What got you interested in pyrotechnics?
A:I'll never be a professional athlete. I'll never be a rock star. But when I can produce an event that has 50,000 cheering at something I created ... it's something that just definitely keeps you hooked.
The most enjoyable fireworks for me are some of the comets and mines, which ... come up from the ground and don't go nearly as high ... but there's a whole lot of effects you can create with them. These aren't normally part of displays, though, because you're trying to shoot over trees and they would be missed.
Q:What should people consider when planning a home fireworks display?
A:The fireworks that currently do not require any additional permits in Michigan to use are the things you can get at a lot of your roadside stands. They include smoke bombs and sparklers and such. ... I've seen some 500-gram fountains that are very impressive -- they have a very nice ground display -- and they're 100% permitted without a permit.
The most important thing is to use fireworks safely so you don't hurt anybody. Something as simple as a bucket of water and a hose can greatly enhance the safety of a backyard display.
People also should shoot the fireworks from a safe location -- meaning from an open area where there is not dry grass or brush and where you are away from people and vehicles.
Also, fireworks and alcohol never ever mix.
Q:How much preparation goes into a large fireworks display?
A:There's an extensive amount of preparation. Usually there's a meeting with sponsors months ahead of time, fireworks are selected... on a small display there could be 100-200 hours of labor and on a larger display it could easily be several thousand hours of labor ... all for 20-30 minutes of oohs and ahhs.
Q:How do you keep spectators safe?
A:The most important thing is to have the crowds at a safe distance from the fireworks. That is absolutely the most critical ... to make sure that if something unexpected were to happen the crowd is still safely away from the fireworks.
Q: What are the best weather conditions for a fireworks display?
A: Best weather conditions are going to be calm or very light winds, so there's just enough wind to carry the smoke away, and dry conditions the day of (the fireworks) but a little rain on the days leading up to the display so everything's nice and green and the fire danger is low. And, of course, warm enough that everyone can enjoy the display.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090621/FEATURES01/906210321/1025/FEATURES/Pyrotechnics+master+Aaron+Enzer+lights+up+lives
Q:What got you interested in pyrotechnics?
A:I'll never be a professional athlete. I'll never be a rock star. But when I can produce an event that has 50,000 cheering at something I created ... it's something that just definitely keeps you hooked.
The most enjoyable fireworks for me are some of the comets and mines, which ... come up from the ground and don't go nearly as high ... but there's a whole lot of effects you can create with them. These aren't normally part of displays, though, because you're trying to shoot over trees and they would be missed.
Q:What should people consider when planning a home fireworks display?
A:The fireworks that currently do not require any additional permits in Michigan to use are the things you can get at a lot of your roadside stands. They include smoke bombs and sparklers and such. ... I've seen some 500-gram fountains that are very impressive -- they have a very nice ground display -- and they're 100% permitted without a permit.
The most important thing is to use fireworks safely so you don't hurt anybody. Something as simple as a bucket of water and a hose can greatly enhance the safety of a backyard display.
People also should shoot the fireworks from a safe location -- meaning from an open area where there is not dry grass or brush and where you are away from people and vehicles.
Also, fireworks and alcohol never ever mix.
Q:How much preparation goes into a large fireworks display?
A:There's an extensive amount of preparation. Usually there's a meeting with sponsors months ahead of time, fireworks are selected... on a small display there could be 100-200 hours of labor and on a larger display it could easily be several thousand hours of labor ... all for 20-30 minutes of oohs and ahhs.
Q:How do you keep spectators safe?
A:The most important thing is to have the crowds at a safe distance from the fireworks. That is absolutely the most critical ... to make sure that if something unexpected were to happen the crowd is still safely away from the fireworks.
Q: What are the best weather conditions for a fireworks display?
A: Best weather conditions are going to be calm or very light winds, so there's just enough wind to carry the smoke away, and dry conditions the day of (the fireworks) but a little rain on the days leading up to the display so everything's nice and green and the fire danger is low. And, of course, warm enough that everyone can enjoy the display.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090621/FEATURES01/906210321/1025/FEATURES/Pyrotechnics+master+Aaron+Enzer+lights+up+lives
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